The Jaded Prole

A Progressive Worker's Perspective on the
political and cultural events of our time.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Nothing Sacred in the Market but Profits

Democracy demands active citizenship but Corporatocracy is just the opposite demanding only active consumerhood. Here is a good article on the basic realities of capitalism and the commodification of life itself.

Monday, December 24, 2007

The Face of Fascism

A spectre is haunting America. Unfortunately it is not the spectre of Progress engendered by Kucinich and the enlightened among us but the rise of Evangelic Fascism represented by Hucklebee, Ron Paul, and Mitt Romney. The legal foundations of Fascism are in place but the dumbing down of the US, the collapsing economy and the stoking of Evangelicism by the corporate right for their own cynical use has created a monster that must be stopped. We can joke about them now but they are angry, vicious and well armed and Blackwater thugs combined with militias are their stormtroopers.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Iraqi Resistance to Foreign Occupation Continues

The US Press has spent the month cheering the so-called success of the "surge" in its constant mantra that the insurgency is all but defeated in Iraq. The general theme is that those fighting US troops are al-Quaida terrorists and that former Iraqi insurgents have joined with the US to fight them. While a few segments have indeed allied themselves with the US, a strong anti-occupation insurgency continues. The video below, obtained by Al Jezeera illustrates the real situation in Iraq.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

The Slime

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Who is Ron Paul?

I tire of hearing naive liberals and even some on the left who should know better talking up Ron Paul. Despite his opposition to the Iraqi debacle, there are many reasons why we should shun this racist, libertarian.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

The end of this year has at least had some positive turns: The utter discrediting of the Neocon Junta by the CIA concerning Iraq is a coup long over due. The Impeachment of Cheney is alive with feet and tentacles that promise to grow, and the result of 8 years of protofascism and lies are seeing thier result in a significant left shift in consciousness among the masses.

I have been here less due to the complications of life -- A terminally ill mother and crazy family, an effort to get out the Blue Collar Review and my job -- as long as it lasts. As the holiday season is upon us, consider a progressive gift from Partisan t-Party or a gift sub to the magazine. Both support a good cause and will help raise consciousness.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Closed Trail for Blackwater Protesters

During a short, mostly closed trial, Currituck County District Judge Edgar Barnes took the rare step of clearing the courtroom after trying one of the protesters, Steve Baggarly of Norfolk, in public. The remaining six were then tried, convicted and sentenced behind closed doors.

The judge gave no reason for his action.

The seven received jail terms ranging from 10 to 45 days and were fined $100 each. They said they will not pay the fines. One was ordered to pay $450 restitution to Blackwater for damage to its property.

All were released pending their appeals.

After the trials, Baggarly speculated that the judge closed the courtroom to silence the group’s anti-war rhetoric.

“He didn’t want people influenced by our message,” Baggarly said. “There have been hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties in Iraq. If we’re going to speak about that, nobody is allowed to hear it. Obviously the system feels threatened by that. It loves darkness.”

Katy Parker, legal director of the North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said she had never before heard of a similar action being taken by a North Carolina judge.

“It’s a clear violation of constitutional rights, not only of the defendants but the press and public,” she said. “They have a right to a public trial, so any trial that goes on behind closed doors is a farce.”